Lahore: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Bugti rejected reports on Thursday on Thursday that circulated in Indian media that suggest that Pakistan will not participate in the upcoming Asia Cup.
He clarified that no official decision has been made and that the last call lies with the Pakistan government.
Speaking with the media, the PHF president made it clear that there was no discussion with regard to the participation of Pakistan on the Asia Cup.
He repeated that participation in the Asia Cup is completely dependent on the government’s decision and that the federation is willing to adhere to each directive.
“No conversations have been held with regard to participation or not participating in the Asia Cup. It is not the decision of PHF, it is the government. What decision makes the government of Pakistan, we will follow. We are waiting for the government’s announcement,” he said.
Bugti also denied reports about some communication with Hockey India and claimed that such contact did not take place.
“There was no communication with Hockey India in the past, nor has there been one. So how it can be said that Pakistan has refused to play? Our correspondence at the Asian hockey federation, not with Hockey India,” he explained.
He further rejected reports that Bangladesh Pakistan would replace in the tournament and claimed that such information was not shared with the PHF.
“Hockey India can say what it wants and invite who it wants it. We are not aware of any invitation that is expanding in our place to Bangladesh,” he concluded.
Earlier, the Indian media claimed that Pakistan had refused to participate in the Hockey Asia Cup, planned in Jharkhand, India, from 27 August to 7 September.
Indian media also claimed that Hockey India had decided to invite Bangladesh instead of Pakistan.
Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.
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